President Bola Tinubu has robustly responded to criticism, particularly from opposition leaders, over new loans the nation has accessed from worldwide establishments and banks.
In an essay titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” to be revealed on Nigerian information platforms, President Tinubu wrote: “The real question is not how much we borrow, but what we build, what value we create and what future we leave behind.”
The President recognized the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Superhighway, electrical energy grid upgrades and the modernisation of key business ports in Lagos as main tasks anticipated to strengthen Nigeria’s productive capability.
He stated the tasks, alongside investments in healthcare, training and vocational coaching, would join financial areas, scale back logistics prices, unlock agricultural and industrial potential and appeal to personal investment.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is anticipated to chop logistics prices alongside its hall by 15 to twenty per cent. It might add as much as two per cent to Nigeria’s GDP by way of expanded commerce, tourism, and industrial exercise.
The challenge can be projected to generate about 100,000 direct jobs in development and engineering, alongside greater than 150,000 oblique jobs in logistics, supplies and associated companies.
“We are not simply building highways. We are opening economic corridors, connecting markets, unlocking industries and reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography,” the president stated.
He stated the administration’s ambition to construct a $1 trillion financial system by 2030 would require sustained infrastructure investment to assist increased productiveness, industrialisation and commerce.
“We cannot build a USD 1 trillion economy with infrastructure designed for an economy a fraction of that size,” President Tinubu stated.
He wrote that bettering financial indicators and rising worldwide investor confidence are creating opportunities for Nigeria to draw long-term investment and expand essential infrastructure.
The president stated the financial reforms his administration launched in May 2023 helped restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public funds, and enhance the nation’s standing in worldwide monetary markets.
He stated a $1 trillion financial system wouldn’t emerge by declaration alone however have to be constructed by way of sustained investment, increased productiveness, industrialisation, and commerce, stressing that infrastructure improvement could be essential to attaining the goal by 2030.
In an article titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” President Tinubu stated actual Gross Domestic Product development reached 4.43 per cent within the second quarter of 2026, whereas headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a 12 months earlier.
He additionally stated gross exterior reserves rose to $55.1 billion as of 9 October, 2026, together with about $46 billion in web reserves, whereas the tax-to-GDP ratio elevated to 12.5 per cent from seven per cent.
President Tinubu stated actual Gross Domestic Product development reached 4.43 per cent within the second quarter of 2026, whereas headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a 12 months earlier.
The president attributed the enhancements to measures together with petrol subsidy elimination, trade fee unification, tax reforms and coordinated efforts to deal with inflation.
“The decisions taken since 2023 were difficult but necessary,” he stated, referring to the reforms.
President Tinubu stated the beneficial properties have strengthened Nigeria’s capacity to draw investment and finance tasks that assist long-term financial development.
“Confidence has a price; our cost of borrowing is going down, and the country risk premium has drastically decreased,” he stated.
The president cited constructive assessments by worldwide credit standing companies as proof of improved confidence within the financial system.
“These are not political endorsements; they are independent assessments by global rating agencies, index providers, regulators and investors, recognising stronger external reserves, improved macroeconomic management and greater financial credibility,” President Tinubu stated.
According to the president, the improved standing might assist Nigeria appeal to extra institutional traders, safe longer-term financing and scale back borrowing prices.
He stated the administration was shifting public borrowing away from financing short-term fiscal pressures in the direction of investments that may generate financial returns, create jobs and expand opportunities for future generations.
The president stated the federal government was additionally pursuing longer-term financing preparations to match the lifespan of infrastructure belongings, scale back refinancing pressures and safe extra aggressive funding for productive investments.
President Tinubu stated Nigeria should convert renewed worldwide confidence into capital expenditure, accomplished infrastructure and lasting financial advantages for residents.
READ ALSO: Oshiomhole defends Tinubu’s borrowing plan, says loans will fund infrastructure
He recognized 5 priorities for the subsequent part of the Federal Executive Council’s financial technique: meals affordability and vitality value stability; finances harmonisation and monetary self-discipline; completion of high-impact tasks and investment in essential infrastructure; an improved financial coverage framework and regulatory effectivity; and focused family assist alongside investment in human improvement.
The president pressured that the success of the present administration’s financial schemes could be measured by accomplished tasks, elevated investment, employment technology and improved residing requirements.
“Securing financing is not the achievement. Completing the project, delivering value and improving the lives of Nigerians is the achievement,” he stated.
He added that the nation’s financial ambition have to be supported by accountable borrowing and investments that create lasting opportunities for future generations.
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
October 29, 2026
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